Winnipeg Construction VIII

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

So where exactly does this active transportation (footbridge) go from the U of M? North side of campus to St. Amant (pretty close to Bishop Grandin Bridge already), east through the U of M agricultural land to a sub division, or south to another subdivision which is basically at the south perimeter.

Yes of course, the Bishop Grandin bridge is close (about 2 km from the centre of UM). Assuming folks who live in South St. Vital are interested in biking to UM, wouldn't a route directly across the river be more direct, more pleasing, scenic, etc? I'm not saying this is the best use of transportation funds, but the idea has its merits and has been talked about for a long time because of this.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

Just got back from vacation and the Galpern (Porter) building has some people working on their roof that I can see from my office. Anyone know if that building got sold and/or is scheduled for redevelopment.

I walked by there today and saw construction workers doing something on the inside... has there been any announcement as to who bought the building and what their plans are? I don't remember hearing anything about it other than steveosnyder's observation from October, quoted above.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by esquire

I walked by there today and saw construction workers doing something on the inside... has there been any announcement as to who bought the building and what their plans are? I don't remember hearing anything about it other than steveosnyder's observation from October, quoted above.

Building was sold. Will be a cool redevelopment.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Cyro

I really enjoyed numberTEN's initial proposal. It suited Pantages. I'm sure you will find something equally as appealing within the constraints you are dealing with. Good luck. Hoping to see something soon if all falls into place.

Had a lot of time to think about it. I think it can be more dynamic visually. Will still leave some of the plaza as the main entrance will be on the Main Street side.

Sorry Esquire. It won't be bigger. I agree that a big building would be cool at the bend in the road. I hope this creates a strong visual edge even if it's not right up to the sidewalk. If it can house a retail space accessed from the Main Street sidewalk, possibly a restaurant, the setback may be slightly more active at least.

I wouldn't cheer against it for the sake of a setback. A new home home for the WSO and performing arts centre in a fully restored century old theatre could be an amazing addition to the city and neighbourhood. It could take the WSO to a new level and give them a real face in the community. The site is part of pantages. I'm not sure what larger development could happen there. The WSO won't do anything bigger and the site isn't open for anyone else to develop.

If the plaza can be redefined, significantly reduced and the building populated every day, it could be a good urban building. If it can achieve a dialogue with its exterior even slightly setback it could work. It's about introducing activity and hopefully the right components. A music school, store, rehearsal space etc could bring life to an important corner.

I don't see how a bigger project shows up if this one dies.

[trueviking]

this is how far the original proposal came to the sidewalk.

[headhorse]

this interview with the Pump House tower designer also mentions they are working on a project at 267 Sherbrook "Ave". Assuming they mean Sherbrook St, that's the empty lot to the south of the Greenheart Housing Co-op. anyone hear anything?

[esquire]

Just to be clear, I'm not cheering against the WSO project. What it boils down to is that while this project would dramatically improve the space directly west of the Playhouse, I was hoping it would be eliminated altogether. I'd definitely take the WSO project over the status quo, though... if it were to fall through completely it could be decades before anything happens to that space.

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Had a lot of time to think about it. I think it can be more dynamic visually. Will still leave some of the plaza as the main entrance will be on the Main Street side.

Sorry Esquire. It won't be bigger. I agree that a big building would be cool at the bend in the road. I hope this creates a strong visual edge even if it's not right up to the sidewalk. If it can house a retail space accessed from the Main Street sidewalk, possibly a restaurant, the setback may be slightly more active at least.

I wouldn't cheer against it for the sake of a setback. A new home home for the WSO and performing arts centre in a fully restored century old theatre could be an amazing addition to the city and neighbourhood. It could take the WSO to a new level and give them a real face in the community. The site is part of pantages. I'm not sure what larger development could happen there. The WSO won't do anything bigger and the site isn't open for anyone else to develop.

If the plaza can be redefined, significantly reduced and the building populated every day, it could be a good urban building. If it can achieve a dialogue with its exterior even slightly setback it could work. It's about introducing activity and hopefully the right components. A music school, store, rehearsal space etc could bring life to an important corner.

I don't see how a bigger project shows up if this one dies.

This is a dumb request, but i don't know very much about the WSO's current setup.

What is the motivation for the WSO moving into the Pantages?

Any background info would be greatly appreciated.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by headhorse

this interview with the Pump House tower designer also mentions they are working on a project at 267 Sherbrook "Ave". Assuming they mean Sherbrook St, that's the empty lot to the south of the Greenheart Housing Co-op. anyone hear anything?

pretty tall building....residential.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by esquire

Just to be clear, I'm not cheering against the WSO project. What it boils down to is that while this project would dramatically improve the space directly west of the Playhouse, I was hoping it would be eliminated altogether. I'd definitely take the WSO project over the status quo, though... if it were to fall through completely it could be decades before anything happens to that space.

ah, sorry....I misunderstood...I agree....it would be great to fill that entire lot. that wiggly orange room is completely functionless and annoying...the holes in the ground are nothing but catch alls for garbage and occasional homeless person....I do not understand what that addition was supposed to accomplish..it makes adding on impossible.

this was really a concept sketch...it will have to go through a full design process when it gets going....

[steveosnyder]

On the bus ride home I saw public hearin notice for the economart @ inkster and main.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

This is a dumb request, but i don't know very much about the WSO's current setup.

What is the motivation for the WSO moving into the Pantages?

Any background info would be greatly appreciated.

Pretty sure a lot of this started when the Concert Hall took a several week booking for a touring Broadway show at a key point in the WSO season. This left the WSO scrambling to adjust its schedule and find alternate venues to use. If the WSO became the lead tenant at Pantages they would not find themselves in that situation again. Further, as Pantages has struggled to generate enough income to even keep up with basic maintenance this could be a big win for them too. The downside is the WSO is a significant tenant at the Concert Hall so they would need to be more actively seeking other bookings but they also have a higher potential in finding those bookings than Pantages.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

This is a dumb request, but i don't know very much about the WSO's current setup.

What is the motivation for the WSO moving into the Pantages?

Any background info would be greatly appreciated.

There are a lot of reasons. The big one is that the symphony wants a home. They are renters in a multi use building. They have to work around schedules of other performances. They pay a lot for it. They have nowhere to rehearse. They have no ability to do things like specialty lighting or other things that are specific to them because they are tenants.

They also want a public face. They look at the ballet and see how having their own footprint in the city elevates their stature and allows them to engage the community more. The symphony is huge in the community but they are a bit lost without a home. They see it as an opportunity to grow with a music school and outreach programmes based there. They have a lot of great ideas to grow what the symphony does, including partnerships and recording that simply can't be done in a rented space.

They also have no office space. They are currently squatting in an unleaded bit of floor in the Richardson building. They are a pretty big organization with no office.

They will still use the concert hall for more than half their shows. The acoustics will always be better there and they need the seating capacity. But this provides an opportunity to broaden their programming with more intimate shows. Imagine seeing the symphony in that space. It will be incredible.

They have been managing the Pantages for a couple of years and have turned it around. They have made a small profit. The hope is that a new building will help make them somewhat more self sufficient economically.

It's a great project for the community. They are asking for such a tiny amount of public financing, I hope it moves quickly now.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by trueviking

pretty tall building....residential.

10 20 30 40? how big is pretty tall?

[headhorse]

thanks for the info, TV.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

10 20 30 40? how big is pretty tall?

My guess is 15-20. Looks pretty towerish.

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by trueviking

There are a lot of reasons. The big one is that the symphony wants a home. They are renters in a multi use building. They have to work around schedules of other performances. They pay a lot for it. They have nowhere to rehearse. They have no ability to do things like specialty lighting or other things that are specific to them because they are tenants.

They also want a public face. They look at the ballet and see how having their own footprint in the city elevates their stature and allows them to engage the community more. The symphony is huge in the community but they are a bit lost without a home. They see it as an opportunity to grow with a music school and outreach programmes based there. They have a lot of great ideas to grow what the symphony does, including partnerships and recording that simply can't be done in a rented space.

They also have no office space. They are currently squatting in an unleaded bit of floor in the Richardson building. They are a pretty big organization with no office.

They will still use the concert hall for more than half their shows. The acoustics will always be better there and they need the seating capacity. But this provides an opportunity to broaden their programming with more intimate shows. Imagine seeing the symphony in that space. It will be incredible.

They have been managing the Pantages for a couple of years and have turned it around. They have made a small profit. The hope is that a new building will help make them somewhat more self sufficient economically.

It's a great project for the community. They are asking for such a tiny amount of public financing, I hope it moves quickly now.

Thank you for the background info Vike.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by trueviking

My guess is 15-20. Looks pretty towerish.

that strip is getting better as time goes

[DonaldSmith]

Originally Posted by trueviking

They also have no office space. They are currently squatting in an unleased bit of floor in the Richardson building. They are a pretty big organization with no office.

They share the floor with ICAM now.

I have heard that the upper floors of the Millenium Centre may be used as WSO/ Various Arts offices but I don't know how serious that proposal was.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

On the bus ride home I saw public hearin notice for the economart @ inkster and main.

That one piques my interest. Any ideas what it could be? Would love to see some residential density there.